When the time comes to put down your pet

[xoxoxoBruce]

For the right price Michael Jackson's former doctor makes house calls.

[DanaC]

That's one thing I am really glad about with Pilau. The vet came out to us, so he was at home, on his own sofa. I phoned J to let him know I was calling out the vet and he got over here asap - so we were both with him at the end as well. Daddy at his side stroking his back and me crouched down at the end of the sofa, holding his head and looking right into his eyes.

I'd intended for the vet to come out the next day - J was coming over early to spend a bit of time with him first. but he'd just been in such a bad way all evening and then when he went outside for a wee, he couldn't walk properly, but tried to run - like he was running away, scared - but his legs wouldn't work he just collapsed in the garden. Poor lamb.

[sexobon]

Take your pet skydiving and let it decide whether or not it wants to open its own chute.

[Pamela]

Cruel. And inappropriate.

[sexobon]

A little levity and shove it up your hormones.

[chrisinhouston]

Well the day finally came. Last night we were awakened at 5 am by our dog, Vesta as she tried to get up to go out and she was so disoriented and kept falling down. She was trying to make it outside, lost a bit of poop along the way to our kitchen and we helped her to our back lawn outside where she took care of the rest of her business but she was so out of balance it was hard to get her back inside. She would walk and then list to the right and try to correct herself and fall over on the left. I was worried she would end up breaking her hip or a leg.

Once back inside she just sat on her bed for several hours not even attempting to get up. She was very disoriented as if the world was spinning for her. So we contacted a vet who comes to your home. She arrived and we sat with the dog as she examined her and we talked and she gave her a shot with a sedative. After a few minutes she went to sleep, the vet shaved a spot on her front leg and injected a large syringe into her vein. She stopped breathing a few minutes later, her muscles twitched for a few minutes more as impulses from the brain were sent out. My wife and I cried a bit and petted her. She looked so calm and restful, I took one last picture of her.

About that time the cremation service arrived, I had arranged for them to come because it isn't legal technically to bury a dog in your yard where we live and I didn't fancy digging a big hole.

In the end the traveling vet charged $300 and the pick up was included with cremation for $80. That all seemed fair enough.

One thing the vet offered to do which was nice was make a paw print and she put some clippings of her fur in a small bag. She said the clay would dry in a few days. Very nice to offer to do that for us I think.

Sad day but we knew it was coming and after the death of my own parents which I witnessed a few years ago I see death differently now. Vesta is happy where she is now and I'll see her again some day!

[BigV]

Sad news, Chris. I'm glad it worked out as well as it did.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Bummer Chris, no matter how prepared you think you are, you aren't. It sounds like the ordeal was smoother than some I've heard of, but it's still an ordeal.

[monster]

sorry for your loss

[Griff]

Sorry chris.

[classicman]

Sorry Chris.

[DanaC]

Damn, that's so sad. My condolences to you and your family, Chris. Sounds like you and your vet did right by Vesta.

[fargon]

Sorry Chris, she was a good dog.